Actor Aloysius Pang dies from SAF training injuries

RIP. Only the good die young.

The whole nation was praying and hoping for the recovery of Singaporean actor Aloysius Pang, after he sustained severe injuries during a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) training session in New Zealand. However, on the night of 23 January, news headlines announced “Aloysius Pang death”, making us all weep instead.

Alyosius Pang death: Inquiry to be launched

The sad news of Aloysius Pang’s death was confirmed by a Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) statement on Wednesday (23 January) night.

The statement also said that an independent Committee of Inquiry will be launched to investigate the incident, and event leading up to the young man’s death.

Aloysius Pang, 28, died at 8.45pm at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton, New Zealand, where he was receiving treatment.

His final Instagram post was hopeful and positive.

How did he get so severely injured?

According to reports, on January 19, Pang was conducting repairs inside a Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer at the Waiouru Training Area. This is an artillery gun mounted on an armoured chassis.

“Unfortunately, CFC Pang sustained injuries when the gun barrel was lowered,” said MINDEF.

Pang was then brought to Waikato Hospital where he went through many surgeries for his injuries. According to Channel NewsAsia, Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s chief of trauma and acute care surgery, Dr Teo Li Tserng, helped the New Zealand medical team treating Pang.

However, “Despite surgical attempts to repair damaged organs putting him on artificial life support, CFC (NS) Pang succumbed to the injuries and passed away,” said MINDEF.

Earlier, Pang’s family flew up to New Zealand to be with him. His mother arrived there first, on Monday. Pang’s body will be brought back to Singapore, said the Ministry.

The young actor leaves behind his parents, and two older brothers.

Heartbreaking post from family before Aloysius Pang death confirmed

Just before news of Pang’s death, a heart-wrenching note from his family was posted on his official Instagram account: